Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (165g) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (5ml)
  • 2 ¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (5ml)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (2.5ml)
  • 1 ½ cups (approximately 255g) M&M's candies, divided
  • Optional: ¼ cup (approximately 40g) mini M&M's candies for extra topping

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
  6. Gently fold in 1 cup of M&M's candies.
  7. Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of M&M's (and mini M&M's, if using) evenly over the top of the dough.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
  10. Let cool completely in the pan before lifting the bars out using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 16 squares.